FG unveils postharvest systems transformation programme
The Federal Government has launched the Nigeria Postharvest Systems Transformation Programme (NiPHaST), a bold initiative under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, designed to drastically reduce postharvest losses, stabilise food prices, and achieve national food sovereignty.
The programme was unveiled at the Nigeria Legacy Program during the Africa Food Systems Forum, held in partnership with AGRA in Dakar, Senegal.
According to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, NiPHaST will focus on household storage technologies, community-level warehouses, cold rooms, and strategic national silos, managed through public–private partnerships.
Kyari noted that the programme aims to strengthen postharvest infrastructure, covering processing, preservation, packaging, marketing, and climate-smart metal silos. The initiative will also encourage private sector investment to expand storage and logistics capacity while creating new opportunities across Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.
Highlighting the urgency of the programme, Kyari disclosed that Nigeria currently loses about ₦3.5 trillion annually to postharvest inefficiencies — losses that undermine farmer incomes, weaken agribusiness confidence, and threaten food security.
“This is not just produce going to waste. It is opportunity lost and livelihoods destroyed,” the Minister said, stressing that NiPHaST is designed to secure farmer livelihoods, enhance exports, strengthen nutrition, and ensure household food access.
The programme was unveiled alongside key stakeholders including the Jigawa State Governor, Mal. Umar A. Namadi, Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness, Dr. Kingsley Uzoma, Executive Secretary of NADF, Mohammed Abu Ibrahim, and the President of the Nigeria Agribusiness Group, Arc. Kabir Ibrahim.
Source: Tribune Online
Expert Review for Agri-Food Stakeholders
The NiPHaST programme is a game-changing intervention in Nigeria’s food systems. For agri-food stakeholders, the implications are significant:
- Reducing Postharvest Losses to Unlock Value
With Nigeria losing ₦3.5 trillion annually, reducing wastage will directly translate into higher incomes for farmers, better margins for agribusinesses, and more affordable food for consumers. NiPHaST provides the structured framework needed to reclaim this lost value. - Strengthening Storage and Logistics Infrastructure
By investing in warehouses, cold rooms, and silos, the programme addresses one of the weakest links in Nigeria’s food system — poor storage and transport. This infrastructure will reduce seasonal gluts, stabilise prices, and extend the shelf life of perishable crops. - Catalyst for Private Sector Investment
The programme’s reliance on public–private partnerships is crucial. With the right incentives, NiPHaST could attract agro-logistics, cold-chain operators, and packaging companies, transforming postharvest handling into a viable business sector. - Boosting Food Exports and Import Substitution
Improved postharvest management ensures produce meets export quality standards, opening access to regional and global markets. Simultaneously, it reduces dependence on imports by keeping more food within Nigeria’s supply chain. - Food Sovereignty and National Security
Beyond economics, NiPHaST is also a national security strategy. By stabilising food prices and availability, the programme reduces the risk of unrest linked to food inflation while securing Nigeria’s position as a leading food supplier in West Africa.
Conclusion
NiPHaST signals a decisive shift in Nigeria’s agricultural policy from a focus on production to a holistic food systems approach. For stakeholders, the next steps lie in ensuring effective implementation, private sector engagement, and transparent monitoring. If executed properly, NiPHaST could transform Nigeria’s agricultural economy and cement its role as a regional food powerhouse.
